I agree, my big nine pointer was guessed at 3.5 based on antlers and body size, but the antlers would show to be 2.5 by this measure and I'd bet that had I gotten the teeth looked at, he's probably a 2.5 and would fit right into this chart.

I know several self-proclaimed QDM/TDM practitioners, that given the chance at a nice buck, won't turn it down regardless of how old they may think it is. What good is claiming to be a QDM/TDM guy if you can't show off some nice bucks that most guys will only ever have one chance at in their lives on public land. YMMV.

You may be different. I don't personally know you, but from the way you talk and the questions you ask, you seem to be of a different mold than the typical QDM/TDM guys I know and I say good for you if that's what turns the crank for you.

I like big antlers, but I like venison more. I shoot what is a trophy to me at that given time and place. Some pretty nice bucks have walked and some young bucks have fallen down for no particular reason. I don't claim to be a trophy hunter and don't own land, so trying to call myself a QDM guy is pretty futile. I would call myself an opportunist.

You and I are very similar Dan. I do own land and have been working my tail off to improve it but I will shoot bucks based on antlers vs age. I am interested in age though but more to get an understanding of the deer on my property. I have shot a lot of bucks in my life and have developed a piece of property that produces deer. I have yet to shot a monster. My biggest scored roughly 130". Opening day gun I passed 7 bucks waiting for something with some horns. If a 140" 2.5 year old would have showed itself, he would be at the taxidermist.

I did feel a little bad about that 9ptr I shot. He was about 115" and to think he was 2.5 years old I was not as proud showing him. This new way would say 3.5, I am walking a little taller and not feeling like I clipped a stud of a deer for the future. He was hanging out on my farm and was very visable

I agree we think a lot a like, surely we both love this sport for the right reasons

Went through all my buck trail camera photos for the last two years. Was surprised. In general, I have a lot older deer than I thought. Bucks in the 110-130" range on my properties are 3.5 years old with this method and 140"+ takes 4+ years